[comp.lang.c] reorganization of newsgroups

CCDN@levels.sait.edu.au (DAVID NEWALL) (09/17/89)

From private correspondance:
> David Newall writes:
>>   "You in the middle row, there!  Yes, you with the blonde hair.  That
>>  ...
>
> The problem is that comp.lang.c is not a classroom.

That's true.  However what constitutes a "beginner's" question is sometimes
a matter for debate.  I suggest that the only appropriate response to these
questions is a simple answer, straight away.  I think that more time is
wasted wading through postings that say "RTFM you cretin" or "Let's create
comp.lang.c.wizards" than would ever be wasted if we were all consistently
helpful.

To expand on my initial point, that is to say, that there is room for debate
on what constitutes a "beginner's" question:  Often times a question will be
asked that I think is trivial; a beginner's question, if you like.  But when
these questions are answered by the experts, it sometimes turns out that the
question was not so silly; and that my estimation of it's worth was just
plain wrong.  Sometimes a question that I think is a good one turns out to
be a stupid misinterpretation of the manual; not so good after all.

I think we should all remember that what separates us from the beginners is
merely time.  Our questions are not more worthy than their's; and we, the
experts, still have a propensity for ignorance that can be irritating to
others.

Let us spend no more time arguing the merits of comp.lang.c.whatever.  Let
us not abuse others for their lack of knowledge.  Let us, instead, answer
the question at hand, and move on to more interesting matters.  Any other
course of action ill behoves us.


David Newall                     Phone:   +61 8 343 3160
Unix Systems Programmer          Fax:     +61 8 349 6939
Academic Computing Service       E-mail:  ccdn@levels.sait.oz{.au}
SA Institute of Technology       UUCP:    uunet!munnari!pisa.sait.oz!ccdn
The Levels, SA, 5095, Australia  VAX PSI: 505282622004::ccdn
--

David Newall                     Phone:  +61 8 343 3160
Unix Systems Programmer          Fax:    +61 8 349 6939
Academic Computing Service       E-mail: ccdn@levels.sait.oz.au
SA Institute of Technology       Post:   The Levels, South Australia, 5095